Oak-Leyden's Director of Fund Development, Lori Malinski, created the March Gladness campaign to coincide with NCAA March Madness in hopes of bringing community awareness to National Developmental Disabilities Month. During this second annual campaign, hungry restaurant-goers can choose to eat for a great cause.

Six local restaurants have committed to give a percentage of their daily profits back to Oak- Leydon on Thursdays throughout March because they believe in helping people with developmental disabilities meet life's challenges and reach their highest potential.

Malinski hatched the plan based on her past work experiences and embraces the power of mutually beneficial relationships.

"We are driving people into restaurant seats every Thursday in March," says Malinski, "and we appreciate and respect these restaurants' commitment to our mission."

In 2017, the March Gladness campaign raised $3, 000 in a single evening for Oak-Leyden's programs. This year, the organization intends to build on the success of last year by expanding the scope of the event to include multiple dining nights. Event supporters will appreciate the 2018 experince has been designed with variety in mind and offers diners maximum flexibility; the six participating restaurants offer varied cuisine styles and a few are offering lunch hours in their give-back windows.

"This dining event creates a buzz and fosters an opportunity for community engagement," says Bertha Magana, Oak-Leyden's Executive Director, "and no-one has been a bigger champion for March Gladness than the Gambino brothers at Cucina Paradiso."

Anthony Gambino, co-owner of Cucina Paradiso, is looking forward to welcoming March Gladness diners at his Italian eatery on Thursday, March 1st from 5:00-9:30pm. He and his staff relish in providing great food and service with the added bonus of benefiting Oak-Leyden.

"Cucina Paradiso has been in Oak Park for 23 years and we are part of this small community," says Gambino, "and when you are part of a community you should give back whenever you can."

MARCH GLADNESS PARTICPATING RESTAURANTS:

All March Gladness attendees are encouraged to show their support for this delicious dining event on social media by snapping a picture during a meal and tagging the partcipating restaurant and Oak-Leyden in a post.

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